Bowling pin setting machine pin changing mechanism



June 21, 1955 G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE PIN CHANGING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheef. l

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ATTORNEY United States Patent O BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE PIN CHANGING MECHANISM Gottfried J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 31, 1946, Serial No. 694,174

1s Claims. (c1. 273-43) i In bowling, it is well known that in so-called open play, bowling proprietors often use non-standard pins or pins which have been in play for varying lengths of time and may have become worn so much so that it has been necessary for them to be redressed and trimmed in order to make them suitable for further use. While this type of pin may not be'objected to by the kordinary player according to rules of open play, such pins are not allowed in tournament or league play because they do not conform to the standards or specications of the American Bowling Congress and thereforedo not satisfy the more particular bowler, or tournament or league player.

In automatic bowling pin setting machines which employ one or more sets of pins in order that the coordinated operation of such machines may proceed automatically and uninterruptedly in setting and resetting pins, it is highly desirable that sets ofl pins can be changed without interrupting the play of the game for relatively long periods of time, and that so called open-play or nonstandard pins described above can be removed from or by-passed in the machine and replaced by pins which conform to tournament standards and/,or American Bowling Congress specifications or vice versa.

The present invention solves the problem of automatically and rapidly etecting the substitutionfof one or more sets of pins, usually ten pins per set, for pins which have been in play in the least possible time and in a minimum number of cycles of operation of a bowling pin setting machine which employs the mechanism comprising the invention.

The bowling pin changing mechanism comprising the present invention is adapted primarily for incorporation and use in a bowling pin setting machine of the type shown and described in Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707, issued November 13, 1945, and copending Broekhuysen application, Serial No. 627,605 led November 9, 1945 for Bowling Pin Setting Machine, now Patent 2,559,274 granted July 3, 1951, although the invention may be used with other types of bowling pin setting machines for effecting the same purpose.

An object of my invention, therefore, is the provision of pin changing mechanism in a bowling pin setting machine which will rapidly and efciently substitute one or more sets of pins for one ormore sets of pins already in use in the machine.

The invention also consists in the provision of electrically controlled mechanism for operating the bowling pin setting machine with which my bowling pin changing mechanism is associated through a plurality of Vcycles to effect the rapid exchange of a plurality of bowling pins, say non-standard pins, for standard pins, and the by- ICC passing of the pins'which are removed from active play to suitable storage. Y. The invention also consists in the provision of mechanism 'for by-passing bowling pins out of operative play in a bowling pin settingrmachine and delivering other bowling pins in substitution for such` bypassed pins Vinto operative play in the machine. 7 v

The invention is further characterized bythe provision of an automaticV bowling pin setting machine which has mechanism forV setting and resetting bowling pins on the playing bed Vof an alley and the provision'in such ma` chine of mechanism for Vautomatically substituting a plurality of pins for a like number of pins whichL have been in play.V

The invention also kconsists lin the provision of a bowling pin setting machine vhaving associated pin handling conveyors which remove pinsromv theipit of a bowling alleyandi deliver them to a pin loading station, and means for incapacitating said conveying system to prevent the delivery of pins to'said stationinvorder that v such pins may be'replaced Aby other pins. t y

Withv these and otherY objects notspecificallvmentioned in, View, the invention consists in'certain comt binations and constructions which'willbe fully described hereinafter, 'and then set forth in the claimsL hereunto appended. L w

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of vthis specification, and in which' like characters of referand illustrating the mechanism employed ,forv effecting a number of another type; and

Figure 3 is a partial view of the electric'circuit `for substitution of a plurality of one typevof pins for alike .controlling the operation of the bowling pin setting ma'- chine `shown in v Figure l illustrating only that portion which is necessary to control the operation of the pin changing mechanism.

As mentionedlhereinabove, the invention may be employed in a machine similar to that shown in the'Rundell patent or copending Broekhuysen application. vThe bowlingfpin setting machine is drivenV from aV suitable motor (not shown) through aclutch K1, preferably of the Bliss type (shown diagrammatically in Figure '3). A constantly rotating shaft'(not shown) carries a sprocket (not shown) on which runsra chain driving a sprocket 132 loosely mounted on shaft 134. The hub of sprocket 132 is provided with a solenoid operated one-revolution clutch K2 similar in construction and operation to clutch K1, which engages or disengages sprocket 132 from shaft 134 thereby controllingV the drive of the pin distributing mechanism of the machine. Clutch K2 is operated at the proper time during the machine cycle whenever'ten pins have been removed from magazine M to drive the several conveyors E, Tand elongated spiral pin supporting members 6 which constitute a part of the pinmagazine or assembling station M.

As disclosed in the above referred `to' Broekhuysen ap` plication, bowling pins are removed from the pit 1 of the bowling pin settingmachine by means of a conveyor A which is raised and lowered once during each cycle of the machine to deliver the pins downwardly and rearwardly between spaced transverse rods 4, 5 which act as the means forsupporting a ball B for delivery by belt 9 out of the machine onto a suitable return runway (not shown) for return tothe player. Pins ejectedfrom elevator A fall into achamber 3 at the rear of theback stop Wand are raised by the flights of-conveyor E upwardly for discharge one by one into a rectifying kand aligning conveyor T extending from a point adjacent the top of the discharge end of conveyor E to a delivery point adjacent magazine M. Conveyor E is actuated at the proper time in the cycle of operation by sprockets 136 mounted on shaft 134 to deliver pins from chamber 3 to conveyor T, which in return conveys them to magazine or pin assembling station M. This station includes a pair of rotating spirals 6 the construction and operation of which is fully disclosed in the hereinabove referred to Rundell patent, The pin elevator E is also fully described in said patent and, therefore, since these mechanisms form no specific part of the invention, further description and disclosure is considered unnecessary.

Conveyor T consists of a positively driven belt 16 having its active lap spaced from and extending substantially parallel to a stationary guide member 18. Pins P raised by ilights 10 of conveyor E. pass between suitable guide plates 12 and guide rods 14 which properly guide the pins P between guide member 1S and lap 16 of conveyor T for travel in the direction of the arrow (shown in Figure 2) around curved portion 22 which forms an extension of member 18 into magazine M for assembly by spirals 6 and subsequent delivery by grippers 168 of the pin transfer system, designated generally N, into pin spotters 110 mounted in triangular arrangement on the pin setting and resetting table, designated generally 111 which sets and resets pins on the playing bed of an alley. ln order to keep belt 16 from being depressed by the conveyed pins, a guide board 28 is provided. Guide board 28 is secured at one end to bracket 29 and its other end to bracket 31, each bracket being suitably attached to the frame of the machine.

From the above description, it will be seen that bowling pins being used in play move in succession along a plurality of paths through the machine to be set and reset upon an alley. ln a normal trame if two balls are thrown, deadwood is swept by sweep 237 into the pit after the rst ball. Any standing pins are raised by suction operated respotters 112 which are operated at the proper time and after sweep 237 has returned to normal inoperative position, such pins are reset in on or ott-spot position awaiting the throwing of the next ball of the frame. If the second ball is the last ball of a frame, all pins either standing or fallen, are swept into the pit, removed therefrom by elevator A, and discharged into chamber 3 for redelivery to the assembling station 'VL ln the machine shown, it is customary to employ at least two full sets of pins. Twenty-one pins are preferred in order that after ten pins have been assembled between spirals 6, an eleventh pin may bear against the tenth pin and assist in maintaining the tenth pin positioned for the most satisfactory removal of a full set of pins by grippers 168 for delivery to spotters 110.

Bowling pins are expensive and in order for a bowling proprietor to obtain the most eliicient use of his pins and maintain his costs at the lowest point, it often happens that after tournament or league play, pins which conform to American Bowling Congress standards and meet the requirements of league or tournament play, are taken out of play and replaced by older pins, some or all of which may not meet the more exacting requirements of tournament play and satisfy the American Bowling Congress rules. It is well known that the average bowler does not insist too strenuously on bowling only with new or relatively new pins.

Guide rail 18 which forms a part o conveyor T, is provided with a movable gate 30, preferably swingably mounted (as shown in Figure 2). When in closed position, gate 30 forms a continuation of guide rail 18 and allows pins P to be delivered by transverse conveyor T in substantially vertical, butt-end upward position to pin magazine M. It it is desired to remove new league or standard pins from play, and replace them with a similar number of older pins, some of which may be non-standard, gate 30 is opened (as shown in Figure 2). Pins traveling between guide rail 1S and lap 16 of conveyor T, upon reaching the open section of guide rail 18 drop out of the conveyor T. The pins being displaced from conveyor T can be directed into a receiving receptacle in the machine, or as shown in Figures l and 2, are delivered by a by-pass chute 32 into a suitable storage box 34 placed beneath the lower end of chute 32 preferably at the rear of the bowling pin setting machine. Gate 30 at one end is secured to a swingable portion 36 of a hinge attached to a stationary portion of guide rail 1S. A hinge pin 38 fulcrumed in the stationary portion of the hinge is secured by means of a screw 40 to a hub 42 of the swingable portion 36 of. the hinge.

Thus, if gate 30 swings in either direction, hinge pin 38 and arm 44, referred to hereinafter, turn in the same direction as gate 36. The lowermost portion of hinge pin 38 loosely supports a suitable clevis 46 which by means of clevis pin 48 supports a bracket 50 rigidly attached to the' bowling pin by-pass chute 32, thus providing a support for the latter on one side. The other side of chute 32 carries a hook 52 which engages with a suitable eyelet 54 secured to the stationary portion of the guide rail 18. An easyk removal of chute 32, if desired, is accomplished by removing clevis pin 48, and a removable pivot pin 9S from arm 44, whereupon hook S2 is lifted out of eyelet 54 and chute 32 is removed.

To the upper portion of the vertical hinge pin 38 is secured a gear segment 56 which meshes with a spur gear S8 mounted on a shaft 60 protruding from the gear housing 62 of a reduction gear motor 64 suitably secured to the frame of the machine. Motor 64, which may be a single phase A. C. reversible motor, such as type KC manufactured by the General Electric Company, is actuated by means of a control switch 66 mounted on the frame of the machine. One side of the motor armature is connected with the upper pole 68 of switch 66 while the other side is grounded at 70. One side of the motor eld is connected to the upper lett pole 72 of switch 66, while the other side is connected to the right upper pole 74 of the switch. By throwing the switch one way or the other, an opening or closing of gate 3() is effected. In order to stop motor 64 after gate 30 is opened or closed, two limit switches 76 and 78 are provided. Switch 78 is secured to stationary guide rail 18 and interrupts the current and, therefore, stops motor 64 when striker plate Soon the free end of gate 30 engages the switch as gate 30 reaches its closed position and is aligned with the stationary portions of guide rail 18. Limit switch 78 is secured to the frame of the machine and is actuated by the free end of the gate when the latter contacts the switch in its fullyk open position (as shown in Figure 2). The tripping of switch 78, of course, also effects a stopping of the motor 64.

In order to increase the facility of handling and-changing pins by means ot chute 32 when gate 30 is open, a pin tilting board 82 may be provided. When gate 30 is open, board 82 is positioned (see Figure 2) in the path of the head ends of pins advancing along the transverse conveyor T. rl`he downwardly hanging head endsY of pins contact curved portion 84 of board 82, causing each advancing pin to assume substantially a horizontal y position, so that upon reaching the open portion of conveyor bar 18, pins tend to roll out instead of sliding out. Since experience has shown that a pin rolls considerably easier than it slides, a steep chute 32 can be avoided. Tilting board 82 is pivotally mounted by means of a suitable stud 86 secured to and suspended from a bearingv plate 88 mounted on chute 32; Stud 86 carries the hub 90 of a flange 92 to which tilting board 82 is secured.Y Flange g2 by means or a suitable linkage or connecting position, tilting board 82 rests underneath the upper portion of chute 32, and pins P are conveyed in their verti cal butt-end up position, without interference, to the pin plate 82 during the contact with the pin heads. Member 98 is attached to a suitable portion of the machine.

The mechanism for operating the several parts of the machine in proper sequence is the same as described in said Broekhuysen application and hence the description of such parts is made as brief as possible. Figure l discloses sweep 237 which sweeps pins into the pit 1. This figure also shows the pin spotting and respotting table 111, the pin transfer conveyor N, which is provided with grippers 168 for delivering pins from magazine M to setters 110 on table 111, the pit elevator A which removes pins from the pit as well as means for driving the several elements of the machine above referred to. At the proper time in the operation of the machine when a set of pins 'n is to be placed on the alley, table 111 is turned by mechanism (not shown) through 180 and then lowered to spot the pins on alley 2. Suction valve 343 is then operated to effect the release of the pins from spotters 110 and table 111 is raised and turned back to its former position.

Sweep 237 is secured to spaced chains 239 running on sprockets 240, 242 fixed to shafts 241, 241a carried in spaced arms 243. Sweep 237 is operated normally in proper timed relationship during the operation of the machine after each ball is rolled to sweep pins into the pit. Shaft 241 is oscillated by means of chain 245 running on a sprocket 246 fixed to shaft 226 which is provided with a sprocket on which runs a chain 248 running on sprocket 249 fixed to shaft 236 provided with a gear 250 with which meshes a rack 251 attached to rod 257 pivoted to lever 218 loosely mounted on shaft 380. Lever 218 is provided with a cam follower 216 tracking a suitable cam 220 mounted on shaft 128. Cam shaft 128 is driven in proper timed relationship from the main drive motor (not shown). Sweep 237 is lowered and raised into and out of operative position relative to alley 2 by means of pivoted supporting arms 222 to which is attached a bracket 224 connected to cables 233,234, running over a pulley 235 fixed to shaft 236 so that as the result of rotation of pinion 250, sweep 237 is either lowi ered or raised relative to alley 2. Table 111 is provided with slides (not shown) running in guides (not shown) formed in vertical standards 388 forming a part of the side frames of the machine. To the slides are attached cables 162 running on spaced pulleys 160 fixed to shaft 158 which is rotated to raise and lower table 111 in proper timed relationship to the other parts of the machine by means of a pinion 156 fast to shaft 15S and with which meshes a rack 154 attached to rod 153 pivoted to lever 152 fulcmmed on shaft 380 and provided` with a cam follower 150 tracking a suitable cam 148 on shaft 128. During the operation of the machine when pins are to be set on alley 2, the desired number of pins, usually ten, is transferred by grippers 168 from magazine M into spotters 110 after which table 111 is turned and lowered by the mechanism described above, to spot the pins on the alley. The pins are held in spotters 110 by means of suction operated grippers (not shown) controlled by a solenoid operated suction valve, designated generally' 343, mounted on table 111. In a similar manner, respotters 112 which are operative to lift pins so that the alley may be swept after the throwing of the first ball of a frame when some pins are knocked down thereby, are operated by a similar type of solenoid operated suction valve, designated generally 339, also attachedto table 111. Since thel specific mechanism for` controlling and operating the Y suction'valves 339,A 343, is substantially the same as shown `and described in said Broekhuysen application and does not form a specific part of this invention, further detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary. p

The rseveral grippers 168, ten in numben, are mounted on carriages for movement along guide rails 265. .The travel of grippersflalong guide rails 265 differs in accordance with the position each is to occupy relative to spotters 11). That is, grippers'168 havea differential Y' movement in order to triangularize the pinsrthey'carry in proper delivery position above the triangularly arranged spotters on table 111. It is also noted that respotters 112 are arranged in'substantial triangular positions although they are Vlaterally movable by standing pins in order that pins'may be picked up and returned to their respective on or off-spot positions.

VGrippers 168 are moved horizontally back and forth along .guide rails 265 bymeans of a plurality of sprockets which are driven by chain 142 running on sprocket 140 fixed to a shaft carrying gear 138 meshing with a pinion 137 integral with agear 133 onV stud 135. Gear 133 is v 'driven by a rack 131 pivotally attached to lever 129k on shaftp380 provided with a cam follower 126 tracking a suitable cam track in cam 127. Vertical movementof conveyor N for removing pins from magazine M and delivering the'same to spotters 110 is controlled by a l cam 174 loose on shaft 128 and a clutch (not shown) similar in construction and operation to clutch K1 which is operated at proper'times to effect'the desired movement of transfer conveyor N. v

Cam shaft 128 is supportedv in suitable .bearings mounted on the machine frame. This shaft is kdriven in proper timed relation by suitable driving mechanism (not shown) from a suitable source of power (notshown). The driving mechanism for shaft 128 is essentially-the `same as that shown in the` Broekhuysen application above referred to and since it forms no specific part of this invention further showing and description is deemed unnecessary.

The ends of apron A are attached to roller 190 and a transverse slide block 179, respectively. ToA the ends of block 179 are attached cables 180 running in spaced guide channels 181 secured to the side frames of the machine. Cables travel'upwardly'over guide pulleys 181 and thence ,over pulleys 183 to which they are secured. Pulleys 183 are oscillated in proper timed. relationto wind andgunwind cables '180 by means of a pinion 186 attached to one end ot' shaft 184. .Mcshing with pinion 186 is ay rack 188 attached to arod 189 secured to a lever 178 loosely mountedon shaft`38l and provided with a cam follower tracking a suitable cam 170 for raising and lowering one end'of the apron A through the medium of block 179. The other end of apron A which is .se-

cured to roller 190 is rolled and unrolled by means of a sprocket 194 mounted on lower supporting shaft 192 through a sprocket chain 198 which tracks a sprocket 199 fixed to shaft 184. r

' In changing pins it is to be assumed that when push button 500 is pressed for the first time there are ten pins f from active' play and replaced by standard,y league pins.

Figure 3 shows a part of an electric circuit similar to that shown and described vinV the above referred to Broekhuysen patent which is used in controlling automatic operation of the bowling pinsetting machine disclosed in said application. Thej circuit shown in Figure 3 is limited chiefly to that part of the entire main circuit (not shown) which is used to operate the bowling pin setting machine for a plurality of cycles, usually two cycles, without the need of rolling a ball and/ or closing pit switch 300.

Push button Still is provided for manually closing a multiple contact switch designated generally 5tlg. The effect is similar to rolling the Erst ball of a frame and fouling. All standing pins are removed from the alley and replaced by a second set of pins. when pressed tirst closes contacts Sil-fl and then by means of a cam 5% fastened to switch arm 597 effects the closing of contacts 508. Contacts 584 when closed completo a circuit through wires Slll, 511 to a control box L. This control box may contain an automatic foul detecting mechanism described more completely the above referred to Broekhuysen patent. When the circuit completed through wires 510, Sli by suitable means (not shown) it energives relay 409 and momentarily closes contact 41d which makes a circuit through normally closed cam contact 362/) to relay 412 which is locked in by the contact 4l2-b and cam 414. Cams 362 and 414 are mounted on a shaft 255 which is driven from earn shaft 128 in proper timed relation during the operation of the bowling pin setting machine by suitable .mechanism so that contacts 362,11 and 362!) as well as contact lilla are opened and closed at the proper time when it is desired to complete circuits necessary to operate the machine.

Closing of switch contacts Elle. therefore results in an impulse to relay 3S() so that in effect the pin changeover control activated by push button Stll operates .in a manner similar to a strilie-cycle- This means that sweep 237 will remove standing pins from the bed of the alley into conveyor A in pit 1 which delivers these pins to conu veyor E for elevation to conveyor T.

Resetting suction valve 339 is operated (by means not shown) as in any strile cycle; that is, it does not open and suction is not created in respotters 112 so that although table lll moves down to test for the presence or absence of standing pins, the ten standing pins are ,not picked up and therefore are swept into the pit as described above. Contact Lllflc connects relay 416 across the coil of relay 35d and hence relay 416 is energized along with relay 35S and locks iu through its own con- .1

tact M651. Continued rotation of cam 414 on shaft 255 opens contact l releasing relay 4l?. which in turn releases step relay 35h; relay @i6 which remains locked in is dex-energized subsequently by suitable mechanism (not shown). Shaft 255 mounts several electric circuit contact cams, of which only cam 3152 414 are shown herein. Shaft 255 is driven as shown in the Broekhuysen patent from shaft l2@ by sprocket 254 through chain 253 running on sprocket Q52. lined to shaft ZS. Due to the energizing of solenoid 3&2 which allows a transfer of the drive to main drive shaft 22, clutch Kr is operated as a result of the movement of cam 596 which closes switch contacts 5&8 after contacts 5M have been closed, and effects the energization of relay 3% to close switch Slide which closes circuit Slt?. After one complete revolution of shaft 22, clutch K1 is `thrown out of operation and the drive ceases.

After removal of the first set of pins from the playing bed of the alley as described above, the set of pins in magazine M is transferred by grippers 16d to spotters 110 and set on the alley.

Preferably before push button dell is pressed for the irst time, switch 66 is moved to open position (Figure 2) which closes the motor operating circuit and operates motor 64 thereby causing gate Sil to be moved to the position shown in Figure 2. Therefore, as soon as the machine is started, due to the closing of switch contacts 564, S98, all pins being elevated by flights itl of conveyor E will roll into chute 32 and be diverted out of active play in the machine. ln the embodiment illustrated, the

Push button 50i) diverted pins roll down chute 32 into storage receptacle 34 which is adapted to be removably attached to the rear frame of the machine. As soon as the irst set of pins has been diverted out of active play in the machine as described above, switch 66 is moved to closed position whereupon motor 64 is reversed and by means of gear 53 and gear segment 56, gate 3) is moved te closed position where it forms a continuous part of conveyor rail or guide member 18.

Due to the fact that at this time no pins are positioned between spirals 6 in magazine M the pin distributing conveyor system of the machine is operating. A new set of ten standard league pins is then placed in chamber 3 at the rear of cushion W whereupon these pins are lifted by conveyor E to conveyor T and delivered between spirals 6 in magazine M. When the last pin has reached its proper position the conveyor system is stopped and the cycle is completed. The effect of the operation just described is: (l) the removal of one set of non-standard pins from active play; (2) the delivery of the other set of non-standard pins onto the alley in spotted playing arrangement; and (3) the substitution of one set of standard league playing pins in the machine to take the place of the first set of non-standard pins removed from active play.

To complete the change-over, switch 66 is again moved to open position whereupon gate 30 is swung back to the position shown in Figure 2. Push button 500 is again pressed since this is equivalent to the second ball of a frame, respotters 112 are inoperative when table 111 moves down towards the alley and the full set of standing pins is swept from the alley.

It will be seen that closing of switch contacts 504 an 59S in the order named effects a complete resetting of all standard pins on the bed of the alley and also starts theY machine and causes it to run through one complete cycle in order to carry out the desired and necessary resetting operation. When the machine has been started for the second successive cycle by the closing of contacts 504, 508 and since gate 3l) is open, the second set of unwanted or non-standard pins standing on the alley is removed or diverted from active play as described above. then moved to closed position, and the second set of standard league pins is placed in chamber 3 and moved by conveyors E, T and spirals 6 into the magazine M where these pins are aligned in the proper positions for delivery by grippers 168 into spotters 11). In Vthe meantime, through the cyclic operation of the machine the rst set of standard league pins has been transferred by grippers 16S into spotters 110, and due to the operation of table 111 these pins have been transferred and set in playing arrangement on the playing bed of the alley. Therefore, as a result of the two consecutive cycles of operation of the machine, two sets of non-standard pins have been removed from active play and have been replaced by two sets of standard league pins. Upon completion of the rotation of main drive shaft 22, all operation of the machine, except the pin conveyor system which includes conveyors E, T and spirals 6, cornes to a halt until the second set of standard league pins is properly arranged in magazine M,

whereupon movement of the conveyor system ceases. The machine is then ready for normal play, or ready for the trst ball of the first frame of a game. Y

in some instances, it is found desirable to use one pin in addition to two full sets of pins, or twenty-one pins in all. This is one means of insuring that the ten pins positioned between spirals 6 will at all times be properly disposed relative to grippers 168 and conveyor N. At the beginning of the change-over operationwhen there are eleven pins in the magazine M and ten pins standing on the alley, it is necessary to manually replace the eleventh pinY with a standard league play pin or vice versa depending upon what change of pins is being made. Whenithis substitution has been made, the steps of completing the changeover are the same as those described above.

Switch 66 isk the pins on the alley are swept into the pit and delivered t0 magazine M, and the substitute set of pins, which has been transferred to spotters 110, are placed in playing arrangement on the alley. When these operations are concluded, the substituted pins are arranged in proper playing order on the alley and the machine awaits'the rolling of the first ball of the frame.

As shown in Figure 1, storage box 34 preferably is provided with three separate vertically positioned compartments I, II and III. Compartments I, II and III are separated from eachother by means of slides 550,

552 provided with handles 554 which allow them to be moved to the right (as viewed in Figure l) in guides 556 so that pins held in one compartment may pass into another. Guides 556 are suitably attached to the interior of storage box 34.

When a change-over from non-standard to league pins is to be effected, for example, the two sets of league pins will occupy compartments II and III, and slides 550, 552 are closed so that compartments I, II and III are separated one from the other. pins removed from active play is discharged into compartment I in the manner described hereinabove after which gate 30 is closed. Trap door 560, which is suitably mounted in guides formed in the rear of the machine adjacent the lower portion thereof (as shown in Figure 1) is raised to the position shown in dotted lines, and the first set of league pins to be changed is discharged by gravity along chute portion 555 of box 34 through an opening in the rear frame of the machine into chamber 3 at the rear of cushion W where the pins arek raised by flights 10 of conveyor E and delivered by conveyor T to magazine M.

Trap door 560 is then closed and slide 552 is moved to the right (as viewed in Figure l) which allows thesecond set of standard league pins in compartment'II to occupy compartment III. Slide 552 is then moved to closed position and slide S50-is moved to the right (as viewed in Figure 1) which allows the non-standard'pins just removed from active play and out of the machine to move into compartment II whereupon slide 550 is moved back to closed position.

The second set of non-standard pins is then removed from the machine, as described above, after which gate 30 is again closed and trap door 560 is opened to allow the league pins in compartment III to be discharged into chamber 3 at the rear of cushion W for delivery by conveyors E, T to magazine M. Trap door 560 is then closed and slide 552 is opened to allow prins in compartment II to drop into compartment III, after which slide 552 is closed. Slide 550 is then opened to allow the last removed set of non-standard pins to occupy compartment Il and then slide 550 is closed. The removed pins remain in compartments IIl and III until further changeover from one type of pin to another is desired. It can be seen that if a single set of pins is to be changed, this can be eected by discharging only the pins in compartment III into chamber 3 for delivery to magazine M in substitution for a set of pins removed and placed in compartment I. If a single set of pins change-over is effected, slides 550 and 552 are manipulated in the manner described, until compartments II and III are filled with single sets of pins, and compartment I is empty.

The first set of non-standard i n pin setting machine comprising a pin receiving station,

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of Vrality of out-of-play pins from a pin storage constructed and arranged to holdV a plurality of out-of-play pins, a conveyor in said machine for feedinga pluralityr of in-play bowling pins to said station, means for by-passing said plurality of in-play pins advancing towards said station, means for receiving said plurality of by-passed in-play pins and removing said pins from active play in said machine, said last-named means'including a device for delivering said last-named pins to said storage, and means for discharging said plurality of out-of-play pins from said storage, said lastnamed means including guides for directing said plusaid lstorage to said conveyor.

2. In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin receiving station, a conveyor for delivering. pins butt end upwardly to said station, a second conveyor for` delivering `pins to saidfirst-named conveyor, means for Voperating said'conveyor to feed said pins to said station, a movable member forming a part of said first-named conveyor, means for moving said member to lform a pin discharging opening in said conveyor for pins being advanced thereby, a guide chute located beneath said member and said first-named conveyor adapted to receive pins transferred out of use through said opening, a curved guide positioned to be engaged by the depending ends of pins and constructed and arranged to bias said pins to a substantially"horizontal position above said chute for ,discharge from said conveyor onto said chute, and

kmeans formoving said ymember into operative relationship relative to said first-named conveyor to reinstate its operation in conveying substitute pins to said station 3. In an automatic pin spotting machine for bowling alleys, the combination with a pinA spotter, mechanism for delivering pins from the pit of the bowling alley to said spotter, selectively operable'V means cooperating with said mechanism to automatically remove a set of pins from said mechanism preparatory to substituting another 'set of pins therefor in said machine, a storage device positioned to Vreceive the pins removed, and mechanism for delivering a substitute set of pins from said storage device back into the machine for play.

4. In a pinsetting machine for use on a bowling alley having a bed and a pit at the rear end of said bed, in

combination, means vsupported inV an elevated position` for receiving pinsfor re-userin the machine, means supported inv another, elevated position for receiving pins `for transfer out of use by the machine, means for supporting a-reserve set of pins fory substitution in the machine in place of pins transferred therefrom, pin Velevating means normally operable to elevate pins from said pit to said receiving means, means selectively operable to-v v transfer pins from said pin elevating means to said pin transfer out means and means selectively operable Vfor delivering pins from the reserve Apin support toy the pin receiving means. 5. A device for changing pins in a bowling pin setting machine comprising means for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin setter, mechanism normally operative to deliver pins received fromv said; means to said setter for re-use, .a pin reserve storage, selectively operable transfer out means Vfor delivering a plurality of pins from active play to said reserve storage, and selectively operable means for delivering pins from said pin storage to said mechanism'for use in said machine.

Q6. A device for changing pins in a bowling pin setting machine mounted on the pit end of a bowling alley, comprising a pin setter located Labove said alley adapted to move to and from said alley for spotting pins thereon, mechanism for removing pins from said pit of said alley,

mechanism normally operable to convey a plurality of pins removed from said pit in succession to said setter for re-use, pin transfer out means associated with said conveying mechanism, and selectively operable means for maintaining said pin transfer out means in operative condition until a plurality of successive pins equal in number to the number of pins normally conveyed in succession to said setter have been removed from said machine.

7. ln a bowling pin spotting machine adapted for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a device for receiving pins for re-use in said machine, pin handling means for elevating pins from said pit of said alley, conveying mechanism coacting with said pin handling means and normally operative to convey pins from said means to said device, selectively operable pin transfer out-of-use means operatively associated with said conveying mechanism, means for receiving a plurality of pins transferred out-of-use, and manually controlled means disposed externally of said machine for selectively operating said pin transfer out-of-use means to eiiect the discharge of a plurality of pins in succession from said conveyingy mechanism to said receiving means.

8. ln a bowling pin setting machine oi the type having a sweep for sweeping an alley after each ball of a frame is rolled, means for removing pins from the pit of the alley, and a pin setter adapted to receive said pins for re-use and setting in playing arrangement on the bowling alley; a conveyor device located to receive pins from said means, said conveyor normally being operative to convey pins for delivery to said setter for re-use, transfer out of use means forming a part of said conveyor, and selectively operable manually controlled means disposed exteriorly of said machine for actuating said transfer out of use means to eiect the discharge of pins out of use veyor for delivering pins to said first-named conveyor,

means for operating said conveyors to feed pins to said station, a movable member forming a part of said iirstnamed conveyor, means for moving said member out of supporting relationship with pins conveyed by said Iirstnamed conveyor to prevent delivery of said pins thereby to said station, a downwardly inclined guide chute detachably mounted beneath said member and said iirstnamed conveyor, a curved guide positioned to be engaged by the depending ends of pins and constructed and arranged to bias said pins into a substantially horizontal position adjacent said chute, whereby said pins unsupported by said first-named conveyor are transferred out or said machine by said chute, and means for moving said member into operative relationship relative t0 said first-named conveyor to reinstate its operation in conveying pins to said station.

l0. ln an automatic pin spotting machine for bowling alleys, the combination with a pin spotter, mechanism for delivering pins from the pit of the bowling alley to said spotter, means cooperating with said mechanism to remove a set of pins from said mechanism preparatory to changing the pins in said machine, said means including a movable diverting conveyor section forming part of said mechanism mounted for movement from normal operating pin supporting and conveying position to pin diverting position, and means connected to said section for moving said section out of pin supporting and conveying relationship.

ll. ln a bowling pin setting machine, a pin receiving station, a conveyor tor delivering bowling pins to said station, a second conveyor for normally delivering a plurality of in-play pins to said first-named conveyor, a pin storage device, means for normally operating said conveyors to feed said in-play pins to said station for re-use, a movable member located adjacent and forming a part of said first-named conveyor in supporting pins for movement by said conveyor, means for moving said member out of pin supporting position relative to said rst-named conveyor to provide a gap in said conveyor, whereby pins advanced by said conveyor fall through said gap from out of use into said storage device, and means for selectively discharging a plurality of pins from said storage device into the range of operation of said second-named conveyor to take the place of said iirst-named pins discharged out-of-play from said tirstnamed conveyor.

l2. In an automatic pin spotting machine, the combination of a pin spotter, mechanism for delivering all pins of one set of in-play pins in said machine from the pit of the bowling alley to said spotter for further use, selectively operable means cooperating with said mechanism to remove all of said pins constituting said set of inplay pins from said mechanism preparatory to substituta set of reserve pins therefor in said machine, a storage device constructed and arranged to hold said lastnamed set of reserve pins, means for discharging said last-named set of pins from said storage device into the range of operation of said first-named mechanism for delivery by said mechanism to said pin spotter, and guide means for effecting the delivery of the tiret-named set of pins into said storage device.

13. In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin changing mechanism comprising a conveyor adapted to remove pins from the pit of an alley, a pin assembling station, a second conveyor adapted to receive pins from said firstnamed conveyor, means mounting said second-named conveyor in position to receive pins delivered thereto by said first-named conveyor, means for operating said second-named conveyor to convey pins delivered thereto by said tirst-named conveyor to said station, a gate forming a part of said second-named conveyor, means normally locating said gate in closed position to deliver a plurality of pins in succession to said station, a storage for a plurality of out-of-use pins, means for moving said gate to open position whereby a plurality of pins being advanced by said second-named conveyor is transferred in succession out of use by said machine, means for maintaining said gate in open position until a plurality of successive pins equal in number to the plurality of pins normally delivered to said station has been removed from said machine, and guide means for directing said plurality of transferred out-of-use pins into said storage.

14. ln a bowling pin setting machine for use with a Y bowling alley having a pit, means for removing pins from said pit of said alley, and a setter adapted to receive pins for setting in playing arrangement on said bowling alley; a conveyor device located to receive pins from said means; another conveyor device normally operative to convey a plurality of pins received from said device in succession for delivery to said setter for re-use, transfer out-of-use means, selectively operable means for actuating said transfer out-of-use means to divert a plurality of pins from said last-named conveyor, and means for maintaining said transfer out-of-use means in operative condition until a plurality of successive pins equal in number to the plurality of pins normally delivered to said setter by said conveyor has been removed from said machine. n

l5. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setter, a sweep, means for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley, and mechanism for operating said setter, sweep, and means after each ball of a frame is rolled; a manually operable device for starting the operation of said mechanism to effect the removal by said sweep and the delivery by said first-named means of a full set of standing in-use pins from said alley and the placement of another set of in-use pins on said alley, a conveyor adapted to receive said iirSt-named set of in-use pins from said first-named means for delivery to said setter, mechanism for diverting said first-named set of in-use pins-removed from said alley from said conveyor, said last-named mechanism including a by-pass for said set of pins being diverted from said conveyor, and selectively operable means for operating said by-pass when a set of in-use pins is to be diverted from said conveyor.

16. In a bowling pin setting machine having a sweep, means for receiving pins for use in said machine, and conveyors for conveying pins from the pit of a bowling alley to said receiving means, control means for voperating said sweep, said pin receiving means and said conveyors, storage means for holding sets of reserve pins, selectively operable means for delivering sets of reserve pins from said storage means to said conveyors, mechanism for removing sets of in-play pins from said machine, said mechanism including selectively operable means for diverting a set of pins being advanced by said conveyors away from said pin receiving means whenever a set of in-play pins is to be removed from said machine.

17. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin loading station, and a pin setting device, and means for delivering pins from said loading station for placement by said device on the bed of an alley, a conveyor having elongated spaced pin supporting and carrying members, means normally operating said conveyor to deliver pins to said station, means coacting with said conveyor to prevent the delivery of said pins to said station, said last-named meansV comprising a chute, a gate forming a part of one of said members of said conveyor, selectively operable means for opening said gate to effect a by-pass of pins into said chute, and means responsive Y mechanism normally operative to convey a plurality of pins removedV from said pit in succession: to said pin to the removal of a predetermined number` of pins from 18.Apparatus for changing pins in a bowling pin l spotting machine mounted at the pit end of a bowling alley and comprising a pinreceiving deviceV positioned lto receive a pluralityof pins in succession, mechanism for removing pins from the pit of said bowling alley,

receiving device torre-use, pin transfer out means associated with said conveying mechanism, and selectively Yoperable means for maintaining s'aid pin transfer out y means in operative condition until a plurality of successive pins equal in number to the number of pins normally conveyed in succession'A to said pinV receiving device have been removed from said machine.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,445 McFarland Nov. 15, 1910 1,130,877 Bernheim Mar. 9, 1915 1,292,738 Estabrook Jan. 28, 1919 1,385,281 Smiley July 19, 1921 1,468,212 Redfield Sept. 18, 1923" 

